Bathroom accessories

ABSTRACT

A bathroom accessory mountable to a generally vertical flat surface such as glass, mirror, tile, fiberglass or metal. The bathroom accessory makes efficient use of space available in a bathroom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to bathroom accessories,and more particularly, to bathroom accessories securable to a bathroomwall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A typical household bathroom is a small and confined place.Accordingly, there is a limited amount of available storage space foritems needed while in the bathroom. As a result, most householdbathrooms quickly become disorganized and cluttered, making itdifficult, time-consuming and inconvenient to locate items that areneeded while in the bathroom. Moreover, the bathroom becomesincreasingly difficult to maintain and clean.

[0003] The present invention overcomes these and other drawbacks andprovides accessories which can be conveniently stored in a bathroom andwhich allow for efficient use of existing bathroom space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a bathroomaccessory securable to a generally vertical surface. The accessorycomprises a wall member locatable adjacent to the generally verticalsurface to which the accessory is to be secured, and one or more suctioncups engageable with the wall member for securing the accessory to thegenerally vertical surface. The suction cups have a head portionattachable to the wall member and a resilient, concave member having acircular projection. The suction cups are compressable against thegenerally vertical surface to secure the bathroom accessory to thegenerally vertical surface. The bathroom accessory is made of plasticand has a weight of at least 35 ounces, without the suction cups, andhas a wall member having a maximum width of at least 6 inches.

[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a squeegee member comprising a generally longitudinal handleportion, a generally longitudinal arm portion attached to the handleportion to form a T-shaped holding member, a wiper blade attached to andextending from the arm portion, and a suction cup attached to the handlefor being pressed against a generally vertical surface to releasablysecure the squeegee member to the generally vertical surface.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide bathroomaccessories which make efficient use of space available in a bathroom

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide bathroomaccessories which are suitable for use inside a shower.

[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide bathroomaccessories which can be conveniently relocated within a bathroom.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide asqueegee member which is engageable with a generally vertical surface.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide asqueegee member which can be conveniently stored without the use of ahook.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a showerbasket for holding various bathroom items, which is convenientlysecurable to a generally vertical surface.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide ashower and tub caddy which is conveniently securable to a generallyvertical surface.

[0013] It is still another object of the present invention to provide ashower and tub organizer which is conveniently securable to a generallyvertical surface.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide acorner shelf which is conveniently securable to a generally verticalsurface.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide atoothbrush storage unit which is conveniently securable to a generallyvertical surface.

[0016] These and other objects will become apparent from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments of the present invention takentogether with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention may take physical form in certain parts andarrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be describedin detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a squeegee member illustrating apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the squeegee shown in FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of the squeegee shown in FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 is an end plan view taken along line 44 of FIG. 1;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a basket illustrating anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the basket shown in FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 7 is a side plan view of the basket shown in FIG. 5;

[0025]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a first tray illustrating anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 9 is a front plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 8;

[0027]FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 8;

[0028]FIG. 11 is a side plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 8;

[0029]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a second tray illustrating anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 12;

[0031]FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 12;

[0032]FIG. 15 is a side plan view of the tray shown in FIG. 12;

[0033]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a corner shelf illustrating anotherpreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 17 is a side plan view along the direction of line 17 of FIG.16;

[0035]FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the corner shelf shown in FIG.16;

[0036]FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a holding member illustratinganother preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 20 is a rear side view of the holding member shown in FIG.19;

[0038]FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of the holding member shown in FIG.19; and

[0039]FIG. 22 is a side view of the holding member shown in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0040] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showing is for thepurpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, andnot for the purpose of limiting same, FIGS. 1-4 show a T-shaped squeegee10 according a preferred embodiment of the present invention Squeegee 10is generally comprised of handle portion 20, an arm portion 30, and awiper blade 40. Handle portion 20 is comprised of a generally planarelongated upper section 22 and a generally planar lower section 28.Upper section 22 and lower section 28 are at a slight angle relative toeach other (see FIG. 2). Upper section 22 includes an annular depression24, as best seen in FIG. 1. A hole 26 is provided at the center ofannular depression 24, the hole dimensioned to receive suction cup 50,which will be discussed in greater detail below. It will be appreciatedthat annular depression 24 is formed on both the front side of uppersection 22 shown in FIG. 1, as well as the rear side of upper section 22shown in FIG. 3. Annular depressions 24 reduce the depth of hole 26. Inaddition, upper section 22 has a curved top 23.

[0041] Lower section 28 extends between upper section 22 and arm portion30. While lower section 28 is generally coplanar with arm 30, it is at aslight angle relative to upper section 22, as best seen in FIG. 2.Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, handle portion 20 tapers fromthe top of upper section 22 to the bottom of lower section 28.

[0042] Arm portion 30 is comprised of an arched section 32 and arectangular blade-receiving section 34. Arm portion 30 extendstransversely to handle portion 20. Blade-receiving section 34 includes aslot 36 for receiving a wiper blade 40 (see FIG. 4).

[0043] Suction cup 50 is a conventional suction cup used to supportsqueegee member 10 on a generally vertical surface. The vertical surfaceis preferably a smooth flat surface such as glass, mirror (e.g., abathroom mirror), tile (e.g., a bathroom wall), fiberglass, or metal

[0044] Suction cup 50 is comprised of a concave member 52 and a head 56.Concave member 52 includes a tab 54. By lifting and pulling tab 54,suction cup 50 can be easily removed from a vertical surface. Concavemember 52 has a diameter of approximately 2¾ inches. Head 56 has agenerally cylindrical shape and has a length sufficient to extendthrough hole 26 of handle portion 20. Head 56 has a diameter dimensionedto be receivable by hole 26 of handle portion 20. Handle portion 20 isremovable from suction cup 50 by disengaging hole 26 from head 56.Accordingly, squeegee member 10 can be removed from suction cup 50during use, and returned thereto for convenient storage.

[0045] The preferred dimensions in each of two sizes of squeegee member10 will now be described. In the smaller version of squeegee member 10,handle portion 20 has a length of approximately 6 inches and a width ofapproximately 1½ inches; arm portion 30 has a length of approximately 1½inches, and a width of approximately 8 inches; wiper blade 40 has alength of approximately 1 inch and a width of approximately 8 inches.However, it should be noted that only approximately ½ inch of wiperblade 40 extends outward from slot 36. The total weight of the smallerversion of squeegee member 10, not including suction cup 50, is about3.5 ounces. In its larger version, squeegee member 10 has a handleportion 20 of a length of approximately 6 inches and a width ofapproximately 1½ inches; its arm portion 30 has a length ofapproximately 1½ inches and a width of approximately 12 inches. Blade 40has a width of approximately 1 inch and a width of approximately 12inches. The other dimensions are the same for both the small and largeversions of squeegee member 10. The weight for the larger squeegeemember 10 without the suction cups is about 4.0 ounces. Squeegee member10 is preferably constructed of plastic.

[0046] Squeegee member 10 has a variety of uses, including the removalof water and fog from glass or mirrored surfaces.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, there is shown a basket 60,particularly suitable for use as a shower basket for storage of items,such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and sponges. Basket 60 is generallycomprised of a front side wall 62 a, rear side wall 62 b, end walls 72,and a floor 76. Front side wall 62 a includes a plurality of apertures66. Apertures 66 allow water to drain from basket 60, and allow itemsstored inside basket 60 to be identified. Rear side wall 62 b includes aplurality of holes 64. Holes 64 are dimensioned to receive a suction cup50′, which is similar to suction cup 50 described above. Suction cup 50′is generally comprised of a concave member 52′ and a head 56′. Concavemember 52′ is the same as concave member 52, except it lacks the optimaltab 54. Head 56′ is similar to head 56′, but includes a locking portion58′ at the end of heat 56′ opposite concave member 52′. Locking portion58′ has a diameter greater than the other parts of head 56′.Accordingly, locking portion 58′, engages with the inner surface of rearside wall 62 b to secure suction cup 50 to basket 60. Accordingly, ifbasket 60 is removed from a flat surface to which it is attached, basket60 will not become separated from suction cup 50′. Furthermore, theforce exerted to remove basket 60 will also remove suction cup 50 fromthe flat surface. Therefore, tab 54 is not required.

[0048] End walls 72 are generally U-shaped and connect side walls 62 aand 62 b. A rim 75 is formed along the upper perimeter of walls 62 a, 62b and 72. Floor 76 includes drainage apertures 78 which allow fluid todrain out from the interior of basket 60.

[0049] It will be appreciated that basket 60 is mountable to a generallyvertical surface using suction cups 50′, the surface preferably being asmooth flat surface, such as glass, mirror, tile, fiberglass or metal.

[0050] The preferred dimensions of basket 60 will now be described. Sidewalls 62 a and 62 b have a width of approximately 6¾ inches and a heightof approximately 6 inches; end walls 72 have a width of approximately 3½inches and a height of approximately 6 inches. The interior dimensionsof basket 60 are approximately 10 inches×3 inches×6 inches. The totalweight of basket 60, excluding the weight of suction cups 50, isapproximately 11 ounces. Basket 60 is preferably constructed of plastic.

[0051] Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, there is shown a tray 80,particularly suitable for use as a shower and tub caddy, for storingitems such as shampoo, conditioner, soap and sponges. Tray 80 isgenerally comprised of a front side wall 82, a rear side wall 84, anengagement wall 86, and a floor 100. End walls 94 are generally U-shapedand connect front side wall 82 to rear side wall 84. A rim or lip 98 isarranged along the upper perimeter of front side wall 82, rear side wall84 and end walls 94.

[0052] Engagement wall 86, as best seen in FIG. 10, is a generallyplanar wall arranged adjacent and generally parallel to rear side wall84. Holes 88 are formed in engagement wall 86 to receive head 56′ ofsuction cups 50′. Connecting member 90 connects engagement 86 with rearside wall 84.

[0053] Floor 100 includes a plurality of drainage apertures 102 and aplurality of dimples 104. Drainage apertures 102 provide an opening forthe drainage of fluid from the interior of tray 80. Dimples 104 providea friction surface for floor 100.

[0054] Front side wall 82, rear side wall 84, end walls 94 and floor 100define a chamber 108. Chamber 108 preferably has a height ofapproximately 2 inches, a maximum length of approximately 15 inches, anda maximum width of approximately 3½ inches. The dimensions of chamber108 are best suited for the storage of toiletry items, such as shampoobottles, conditioner bottles, sponges and soap.

[0055] Tray 80 is mountable to a generally vertical surface by engagingsuction cups 50 with holes 88 in engagement wall 86. Suction cups 50′are then placed adjacent to the vertical surface and an appropriatepressure is applied thereto by pressing suction cups 50′ against thesurface.

[0056] The preferred dimensions of tray 80 will now be described Frontside wall 82 and rear side wall 84 preferably have a width ofapproximately 10½ inches and a height of approximately 2 inches(including the height of lip 98); and end walls 94 have a width ofapproximately 4 inches and a height of approximately 2 inches (includinglip 98); engagement wall 86 has a width of approximately 10¾ inches anda height of approximately 2 inches. The approximate interior volume ofchamber 108 is 84 cubic inches. The total weight of tray 80 (excludingsuction cups 50) is approximately 8.0 ounces. Tray 80 is preferablyconstructed of plastic.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 12-15, there is shown a second tray 110particularly suitable for use as a shower and tub organizer, for storingitems such as shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, toothbrushes, razorsand soap. Tray 110 is generally comprised of two side chambers 148 and acenter chamber 143. Side chambers 148 are defined by front side wallportions 112, rear side wall portions 114, end walls 124, center walls130, and floors 132. End walls 124 are generally U-shaped, and connectfront side wall portions 112 with rear side wall portions 114. Centerwalls 130 are generally transverse to front side wall portions 112 andrear side wall portions 114, and connect side wall portions 112 and 114with each other. Furthermore, center walls 130 define a center chamber143, which will be described in detail below. Floors 132 include aplurality of drainage apertures 134 and dimples 136. Drainage apertures134 provide openings for the drainage of fluid from the interior of sidechambers 148. Dimples 136 provide a high friction surface.

[0058] Center chamber 143 includes an upper horizontal wall 138 and aU-shaped wall 142. Upper horizontal wall 138 includes a plurality ofholes 140. Holes 140 are preferably dimensioned to receive the handleend of a toothbrush or razor. U-shaped wall 142 includes a plurality ofslots 144 for drainage of fluid from center chamber 143. The portion ofcenter chamber 143 defined by U-shaped wall 142 is preferablydimensioned to receive a bar of soap.

[0059] It should be appreciated that a lip 128 extends around the outeredge of chambers 148 and 143, as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0060] An engagement wall 116 is arranged adjacent and generallyparallel to rear side wall portions 114 (see FIG. 14). Engagement wall116 has a generally planar surface and includes holes 118 which aredimensioned to receive head 56′ of suction cup 50′. Engagement wall 116has a preferred width of approximately 10¾ inches and a preferred heightof approximately 2 inches. A connecting member 120, as best seen inFIGS. 14 and 15, connects engagement wall 116 with rear side wallportions 114.

[0061] Tray 110 is mountable to a generally vertical surface in the samemanner as tray 80.

[0062] Side chambers 148 are preferably 4½ inches by approximately 3½inches, and has a depth of approximately 2 inches (including lip 128).Center chamber 143 is preferably a length of approximately 4½ inches byapproximately 3½ inches, with a maximum depth of approximately 1¾ inches(including lip 128). Tray 110 has a weight of approximately 7.5 ouncesand is preferably constructed of plastic.

[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, there is shown a corner shelf 150,particularly suitable for the storage of items such as shampoo,conditioner, shaving cream, toothpaste and razors. Corner shelf 150 isgenerally comprised of a first side wall 152, a second side wall 154,engagement walls 156, a front wall 160 and a floor 170. First side wall152 and second side wall 154 are arranged generally perpendicular toeach other as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18. Front wall 160 is a curved wall,and connects first side wall 152 with second side wall 154. A pair ofgenerally planar engagement walls 156 are arranged adjacent andgenerally parallel to first and second walls 152 and 154, as best seenin FIG. 18. Each engagement wall 156 has three holes dimensioned toreceive a suction cup 50′.

[0064] A lip 168 is arranged along the perimeter of first side wall 152,second side wall 154 and front wall 160. Engagement walls 156 areintegrally attached to lip 168, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0065] First side wall 152, second side wall 154, front wall 160 andfloor 170 define a chamber 178. Floor 170 includes drainage apertures172 and 172′, as well as dimples 174. Drainage apertures 172 and 172′provide a means for draining fluid from the interior of chamber 178. Itshould be appreciated that drainage aperture 172 may also be dimensionedto receive the handle end of a razor for storage of the razor insidechamber 178. In this respect, drainage apertures 172 may have a largerdiameter than drainage aperture 172′. Dimples 174 provide a highfriction surface.

[0066] Corner shelf 150 is mountable to a pair of generallyperpendicular vertical surfaces using suction cups 50′. Accordingly,corner shelf 150 is arrangeable within a corner area formed by the twogenerally perpendicular vertical surfaces.

[0067] Side walls 168 and engagement walls 156 preferably have a widthof approximately 9 inches. Curved front wall 160 has a height ofapproximately 1½ inches (including lip 168) and is along a radius ofcurvature of approximately 9 inches. Side walls 168 and 169 and curvedfront wall 160 preferably have a height of approximately 1½ inches(including lip 168). Corner shelf 150 preferably has a weight ofapproximately 8 ounces (without suction cups 50). Corner shelf 150 ispreferably constructed of plastic.

[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, there is shown a holder 180particularly well suited for storage of items such as toothpaste andtoothbrushes. Holder 180 is generally comprised of a front side wall182, a rear side wall 184, end walls 186, floor 188 and an extensionportion 200. Front side wall 182, rear side wall 184, end walls 186 andfloor 188 define an oval-shaped chamber 218. Front side wall 182 andrear side wall 184 are curved walls which are connected to each other byend walls 186. Floor 188 includes holes 190 for draining fluid fromchamber 218.

[0069] A generally planar horizontal extension portion 200 extends fromthe upper perimeter of walls 182, 184 and 186. Extension portion 200includes holes 202, which are preferably dimensioned to receive thehandle end of a toothbrush. A generally planar engagement wall 206attaches to extension portion 200, as best seen in FIG. 21. Openings 208and 208′ are formed in engagement wall 106. Openings 208 and 208′ aredimensioned to receive, respectively, suction cups 50′ and 50″.

[0070] It should be appreciated that suction cup 50″ is a modifiedversion of suction cup 50″. In this respect, suction cup 50 has adiameter of approximately 1¾ inches and an enlarged locking portion 58″.The widest portion of opening 208′ (see FIG. 20) is dimensioned toreceive locking portion 58″ therethrough.

[0071] Holder 180 is mountable to a generally vertical surface usingsuction cups 50′ and 50″.

[0072] Chamber 218 preferably has a height of approximately 3 inches, amaximum length of 3 inches, and a maximum width of approximately 2¼inches. Furthermore, holder 180 has a weight of approximately 2.5ounces. Holder 180 is preferably constructed of plastic.

[0073] The foregoing description is directed to specific embodiments ofthe present invention It should be appreciated that these embodimentsare described for purposes of illustration only, and that numerousalterations and modifications may be practiced by those skilled in theart without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It isintended that all such modifications and alterations be included insofaras they come within the scope of the invention as claimed or theequivalents thereof.

Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
 1. A bathroomaccessory securable to a generally vertical surface, said accessorycomprising: wall means to be located adjacent the vertical surface towhich said accessory is to be secured; and suction cup means connectedto said wall means for securing said accessory to the vertical surface,said suction cup means comprising at least one suction cup, each of saidsuction cups having a head attached to said wall means and a resilientconcave member having a circular projection with a diameter and beingcompressible against the vertical surface to cooperate with the other ofsaid suction cups to secure said accessory to the vertical surface, saidaccessory being made of plastic and having a weight without said suctioncup means of at least two ounces and having a maximum width for beinglocated adjacent the vertical surface of at least six inches.
 2. Theinvention according to claim 1 , wherein said accessory is a squeegeemember comprising a handle portion extending in one direction and atransverse arm portion attached to said handle portion, said squeegeearm including a slot for receiving a wiper blade.
 3. The inventionaccording to claim 1 , wherein said accessory is a basket, said basketcomprising: relatively narrow opposing end walls; and relatively wideopposing side walls transverse to, and attached to, said narrow endwalls, said wall means being one of said wide side walls, said wide sidewalls having a width of at least six inches and said suction meanscomprising at least two suction cups attached to said one wide sidewall.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 , wherein said accessory isa tray, said tray comprising: relatively narrow opposing end walls;relatively wide opposing side walls transverse to, and attached to, saidnarrow end walls; an engagement wall arranged adjacent and generallyparallel to one of said wide side walls, said wall means being saidengagement wall, said wide side walls having a width of at least 10inches and said suction cup means comprising four suction cups attachedto said engagement wall.
 5. The invention according to claim 1 , whereinsaid accessory is a tray, said tray comprising: narrow opposite endwalls; wide side walls transverse to, and attached to, said narrow endwalls; an engagement wall arranged adjacent and generally parallel toone of said wide side walls, said wall means being said engagement wall;at least two chambers positioned along said wide side wall, said wideside wall having a width of at least 10 inches and said suction meanscomprises four suction cups attached to said engagement wall.
 6. Theinvention according to claim 1 , wherein said accessory is a cornershelf, said corner shelf comprising: two side walls meeting atapproximately a right angle; two engagement walls arranged adjacent andgenerally parallel to said two side walls, said wall means being saidengagement walls, said side walls each having a width of at least eightinches and said suction cup means comprising three suction cups attachedto each engagement wall.
 7. The invention according to claim 1 , whereinsaid accessory is a toothbrush storage device, said storage devicehaving an oval-shaped cup-like chamber and a generally planar horizontalextension member, said extension member having holes dimensioned toreceive the handle end of a toothbrush.
 8. A squeegee member comprising:a generally longitudinal handle portion; a generally longitudinal armportion attached to said handle portion to form a T-shaped squeegeemember; a wiper means attached to and extending from said arm portion;and suction cup means attached to said handle portion for being pressedagainst a wall to releasably secure said squeegee member to said wall.9. A squeegee member according to claim 8 , wherein said suction cupmeans is a suction cup having a diameter of at least two inches.